Casket lowering device safety attachment



y 1932- w. F. BECKETT 1,860,767

CASKET LOWERING DEVICE SAFETY ATTACHMENT Filed March 24, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Wzlzwfzec/i'eze flemaorizw A Home y May 31, 1932. w BECKETT 7 1,860,767

CASKET LOWERING DEVICE SAFETY ATTACHMENT Filed March 24, 1951 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 In uenior fi/Jz'am Zea/ke A Home y Patented May 31, 1932 EJNETED starts WILLIAM F. BECKETT, OF IBELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS CASKET LOWERING DEVICE SAFETY ATTACHMENT Application filed March 24, 1931. Serial N0. 524,974.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the art of undertaking and more particularly to a safety appliance for casket lowering devices.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a safety appliance for attachment to the usual casket lowering apparatus to prevent the falling of the casket into the grave in the event the lowering mechanism breaks. 7

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of a casket lowering mechanism with a casket supported thereby and showing the safety appliance disposed in positions engaging the casket.

Fig. 2 represents abottom plan View of the lowering mechanism with the safety appliance supporting the casket.

Fig. 3 represents a sectional View through the lowering mechanism taken substantially on the line 83 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l represents an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on line lt of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 represents a side elevational view of one of the lugs to which the safety appliance is attachable.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, that 5 represents the usual gear housing in which gears are mounted for connecting the shafts 6, numeral 7 representing the polygonal-shaped stub shaft which can be engaged by a rack or crank to permit operation of the shaft. Numerals 88 represent the usual straps which are rolled on the elongated shaft 6 as at 9. Ordinarily, the casket 10 rests upon these straps 8-8. Frequently the casket rests in this manner for some while during services, and it has happened that one or both of the straps have broken not only to the grief of the mourners, but also to the embarrassment of those in charge of the funeral.

It will be observed in Fig. 1, that the appliance generally referred to by numeral 11 actually supports the casket until the casket is to be lowered into the grave.

In carrying out the invention, a pair of collars l2-12 isprovided on each side shaft 6 and from each of these collars, extends a lug 13 having an inwardly disposed slot 14: extending laterally at its inner end as at 15 to provide a seat for the links 16 on the ends of the chain 17.

These chain links extend from one lug under the casket to the lug on the shaft 6, directly opposite thereto.

Firstly, the casket is placed upon the straps with the straps in the position substantially shown in Fig. 3, after-which the chains 17 are connected to assume the position shown in solid lines in F 3. The casket is now lowered, until the full weight of the casket rests upon the chains 17 and the straps are permitted to assume a free position as shown in Fig. l with respect to the casket.

When the casket is to be lowered into the grave, the straps are elevated somewhat so as to relieve the weight from the chains 17, after which the same are disengaged from the lugs to permit the descent of the casket upon the lower mechanism.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to beunderstood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

/VILLIAM BECKETT. 

